Ten Principles of Fair Trade
Since its inception Oasis Coffins has sought to operate in compliance with the 10 standards laid down by both the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), and the European Fair Trade Association. Oasis is a full member of the Bangladesh Fair Trade Forum, known as ECOTA. Our compliance with these principles has been independently assessed by Traidcraft the UK’s largest fair trade organisation, in July 2012, and in February 2013, and have now endorsed all of our products as Fair Trade. We are committed to ongoing, regular and transparent assessment of our credentials, and want our customers to know exactly how we performing in this area. Our 2012 Fair Trade Assessments can be found here and 2013 report here. Our last assessment by Traidcraft was in October 2017 and we anticipate a further assessment in 2019. We were accepted as Guaranteed Members of the WFTO in July 2017 and as part of this have regular external assessments.
Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
Our production unit is located in Nilphamari, a remote district of Bangladesh. Around 50% of the manufacturing team are women, many of whom have never been to school.
Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability
We have been assessed by the Bangladesh Fair Trade Forum, and granted Full Membership of the ECOTA forum in July 2013 in recognition of our compliance with Fair Trade Practices. This is alongside our assessments by WFTO and Traidcraft.
Principle Three: Fair Trading Practices
Our permanent production workers are paid 30% in excess of the recommendations for garment workers in Bangladesh, ensuring a good living wage.
Principle Four: Payment of a Fair Price
Our natural materials are purchased from known sources. The Bamboo is purchased from within 20km of the manufacturing unit, and the farmers are all known to us, and are paid above the market rate. In addition Oasis collects the raw materials from the farmers, and covers the cost of transport.
Principle Five: Ensuring no Child Labour and Forced Labour
All of the workers in our production unit are adults; all work with us because it’s a great place to work!
Principle Six: Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association
All of our job roles are open to both men and women, of all adult ages, approximately 50% of our production team are women, most of whom have received no education in their childhood. We have an independent Worker’s Association which meets regularly to represent the interests of the production team, and to make recommendations to management.
Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions
The manufacturing unit is in a purpose made building, with excellent natural light, ventilation and good access. The team have a pension scheme, paid holidays, sick leave and a lump-sum payment if they leave. The workers all have access, free of cost, during working hours to a qualified doctor.
Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building
We are currently offering literacy classes each lunch-time to twelve of our staff team. Our production workers, many of whom have never left their local area, are given world class skills in manufacturing and quality.
Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade
Each year on World Fair Trade day (May 12th), our local team members are active in promoting events and the wider fair trade message.
Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment
We are committed to leading the market in our environmental practices. Each of the natural materials used is a rapidly renewable resource, and from a known source. Our products have been designed to maximise use of materials, and minimise energy usage. For example our bamboo coffin is folded into its own footprint for transport, and then assembled in the UK. See the Environment section for more details.
